Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow or any other series I might use for inspiration.
To Complete The Team
It's been six whole months now, six months since my team and I met with the suicide squad, six months since I was reunited with my brother in everything but blood, Slade Wilson, and six months since I married my second wife, Talia Al Ghul.
The marriage has been going well all things considered. Talia and Nyssa have behaved, and Nyssa has reluctantly accepted the newest addition to our union. It's not like this is something I wanted to do against her will, but there clearly was no other choice available, and she appears to have come to that realisation too.
As far as Laurel was concerned, I quickly became aware of the fact that I was completely defenseless to her charms. I love her dearly, and I am sexually attracted to her. I can resist her but only so long as she is not actively trying to seduce me. I want to be with her but it is a selfish desire, one that can only be fulfilled at the expense of many other innocent lives, for there would inevitably be war if I renaged on my vows to Nyssa and Talia.
I could always marry her and make her my third wife, but I doubt Talia and Nyssa would accept it. Nyssa accepted Talia because she is her sister and because the fate of the league and maybe even the world was resting on her acceptance. Laurel, earth 1 Laurel was her best friend, but she wasn't her sister, the fate of the world and the league doesn't rest on a union with Laurel, and this isn't even the same Laurel that Nyssa befriended.
Talia might or might not accept it. She's power hungry, and that might dissuade her from acepting a third equal partner in the union. However, for that same reason, she might welcome Laurel with open arms due to how much power she posseses because of her meta human abilities. Laurel would be an asset to the league, and Talia is not only a very pragmatic person, but also takes pride in that fact.
At the end of the day, I could overrule both of them and marry Laurel anyway, but I'm not that kind of person and I'm quite certain they would be plotting ways to get rid of each other from the get go if I did that, and that wouldn't end well at all. Fortunately, Sarab and Katana have returned to the league due to the fact that Wild Dog and Artemis have been captured by Amanda and have since become a part of the suicide squad, meaning that my son and his mother are no longer in any immediate danger, although I still left a team of league assassins with the mission to blend into the neighbourhood and keep watch over the two of them.
Laurel has spent 70 percent of her time training with Katana and 30 percent with Dinah and I. The reason for this was so that Katana can use her special hypnotic therapy and training to help Laurel to develop emotion and impulse control. I explained the situation to Dinah and she has acted as a buffer between Laurel and I, making sure that I am never left alone with her, telling me that there was no way that she would leave me at the mercy of that, in her own words, 'diabolically manipulative bitch'.
However, Vigilante finally revealed his true identity to Dinah and the rest of the team. That's good news, because he was the only one still hiding his true identity. Dinah, understably, is pissed off at me for keeping the truth from her all this time, and today is the first time that I am supposed to meet up with her and Laurel for their training since the Vigilante reveal. I just hope that she's not pissed off enough to leave me at Laurel's mercy.
Nevertheless, Laurel and Dinah have made incredible strides over the last six months. They have both achieved an incredible mastery over their powers. Laurel's power is still stronger than Dinah's for some reason. My study has revealed that she naturally has stronger vocal cords than Dinah. Most likely, she had stronger vocals even when they were human, and now that I think about it, Laurel was always a very good singer, she always had such a strong voice.
They've both put a hell of a lot of effort in their training, but as long as Laurel doesn't slack off, it appears as though she will always be stronger than Dinah, at least vocally. There are other ways to fight of course, so it doesn't neccassary mean Dinah loses to Laurel in battle, although, she has lost 75 percent of her sparring sessions with Laurel. I suppose that has something to do with Laurel's extra training with Katana.
Most impressively, the two of them have finally mastered the ability that we discovered during their first encounter, that being the ability to create breaches and teleport through them. Teaching them to access two different tunes at the same time was ridiculously difficult, in fact, it is an ancient technique that monks of old used in the old days. I found out about it in the League of Shadows library, and first learned it myself so that I can teach it to Laurel and Dinah.
The reason they needed to learn this technique was so that they didn't always have to work together in order to open a breach. For them to open a breach two specific, opposing frequencies are required, which is why it took the two of them to open one. However, with this technique, each individual can open their own breach without the help of the other.
There were however complications. For one, unlike Cisco 'Vibe' Ramon, Laurel and Dinah do not have the ability to sense vibrations and different frequencies. Well, actually they do, but there are levels to this thing. Cisco can sense vibrational frequencies from across the multiverse, in other words, inter-dimensional vibration sensing. To compare Dinah and Laurel's vibration sensing to that would be like comparing a lake to the entire ocean. There is no comparison.
This means that Laurel and Dinah, while they can open breaches to other universes, cannot determine which unverse they have opened a breach to. The good news however is that they can teleport us to anywhere on our earth with pin point accuracy, their vibrational and sound frequency sensing allows them to do at least that much.
Of course I wasn't about to settle for that, after all, I have access to all the information that Team Flash has ever since I infiltrated their system, meaning that I have the files that Cisco and Barry have collected on the multiverse. Their files are very detailed, down to the fact that there are 51 earths and all the frequencies of said earths. I also have the schematics to the device that Cisco created in order to allow Supergirl, an actual alien super hero from Earth 38, to travel to our earth.
This information, along with my study of Dinah and Laurel's powers, has allowed me to develop a similar device that allows me to teleport to wherever I want within our earth and within the parallel earths. This original design of the device was in the form of a utility bracelet/wristband similar to my utility watch, but eventually I was able to intergrate the design into the utility watch itself.
My device has its limitations of course. It takes an enormous amount of energy to open a breach, and there is only so much energy that can be contained within a wrist band sized device, and as a result, I can only store enough energy for two inter-dimensional jumps before the device has to recharge again, and it takes half a dayfor the device to recharge.
In Dinah and Laurel's case, I have devised a choker for them to wear around their necks not so different from the meta human strangler except with a different function. This choker is called ISE, Inter-Dimensional Sonic Enabler. This device first and foremost is meant to protect them from sonic dampeners, so that no one can supress their powers during battle or otherwise. Its other function is that it enables them to tune into the frequency of a specific earth in the multiverse that they want to teleport to.
Of course I warned them not to rely on these devices but rather to try and learn all the frequencies of the different earths off by heart so that they can do it naturally, without the aid of technology. Over-reliance is not a good thing, I don't have a choice in this matter, but they do. If we are ever captured and our tech is taken away, or our tech is damaged or malfunctions for some reason, we will need to rely on them to take us where we need to go. As expected, both Dinah and Laurel have mastered this ability, and of course, they don't have the same limitation that I have with my device because their sonic scream generates the energy required to open the breach, so they can pretty much dimension hop for as many times as they can scream.
Deathstroke has joined the league of shadows, but works predominantly with Team Arrow. Laurel has also joined the league of shadows. The reason for this is because they can't ever have a normal life again. Slade is an international criminal, and Laurel is, for all intents and purposes, dead and burried, before the eyes of the whole city. Therefore, the only place left for them is the league.
I find it interesting how shocked Talia pretended to be when she saw Laurel the day I introduced her to our brethren, pretending not to know anything about her, without knowing that Laurel already told me about what happened, and without knowing that, even if Laurel hadn't told me, I would have known because I had already reviewed the footage from Star Labs cameras, after all, I do have unresricted access as far as Star Labs is concerned.
Nyssa on the other hand was genuinely shocked, she had no idea, and the first thing she did, naturally, was to try and reconnect with her best and only friend. Of course said attempt failed miserably, Laurel was in no way interested in forming a friendship with someone who is standing directly between me and her being together. Nyssa was devastated, but she is slowly coming to terms with the situation.
I've told Laurel to be a model league assassin, to become the best and most important asset in the league, and to win everyone's respect, loyalty, and admiration. She has to become so important, so instrumental, so well liked, so admired, and so trusted and respected that when the time comes, and she has to be rewarded for her efforts and contribution, no one will be able to decline her demand to be wed to Ra's Al Ghul, not even me. That is the only way we will be able to be together.
Traditionally it is the man that has to prove his worth in order to win the hand of the woman, but this is the 21st century, and we don't exactly have much of a choice in this situation. This is the only way, it will determine how serious she is about us being together, although I wouldn't blame her at all if at some point she decided that it just isn't worth it. I would totally understand, no one should have to go through so much just to be with the person they love, and who loves them back.
In any case, other than that, things have been good at the league. Construction of the Hive has begun. It should be complete and ready for our people to move into in the next four months. It's much sooner than originally forecast, however, our numbers have doubled since the merger, and the ability to teleport materials will also speed up the progress significantly.
Star City is now officially one of the safest places in the world. Crime has been steadily dropping since I changed my ways and took the serum. It dropped even faster when Curtis and Rory joined, and again even faster when Dinah joined. Now, crime is at just 2 percent, all the way down from 20 percent. We barely have anything to do but patrol the city now. Our numbers enable the team to seperate into two factions on patrol, thereby covering a wider area of the city. Criminals are no longer flocking to Star City, criminals are actually trying to escape Star City.
In other news, Amanda and I have kept in contact, and she has been very busy across the entire world. King Shark, Grodd, Grundy, Killer Croc, these monsters have been reported to have been appearing all over the world. The public doesn't know why this is happening, but I know why, and the answer is...Amanda Waller.
She's gaining influence all across the globe and gathering international allies and supporters. Initially I thought she would use direct force to take control of ARGUS, but she's using a more delicate approach, which is impressive, for her at least. The old her would have just gone straight to ARGUS and given them an ultimatum: Fall in line, or die.
However, at this rate, the authorities will be begging her to retake control of ARGUS. I don't even know why she felt she needed my help. I mean, Oliver Queen is just the mayor of a small city, I'm not the President, I'm not even a Governor, or a Senator. Still, I suppose I have no choice but to help her, she made sure of that, by forcing upon me the duty to find a way for her to stop Enchantress from devouring June Moon's soul, as if that is even possible, especially since John Constantine is pre-occupied with being stuck in hell at the moment. At this rate, the only thing I can do is to prepare for the day that Amanda loses control of Enchantress and try to defeat and kill her in combat, a very difficult task.
Currently:
"Brie, how are you doing today?" Oliver asked with a friendly tone.
"How the hell do you think? You ask me the same thing every fucking day you come here and I tell you the exact same thing! What do you want with me anyway? Why are you so nice to me after everything that I did to your precious Felicity and those Board Members?" Brie Larvan, formerly known as the Bug Eyed Bandit, asked incredulously. She is a blonde haired, bespectacled, and beautiful woman, although most people would argue that she is as ugly on the inside as she is beautiful on the outside given the nature of her crimes. She was sitting on a wheel chair in a special prison cell that the mayor had organised for her, denied of access to any form of technology with the exception of a television.
"When you woke up from your coma, nobody came to see you, nobody came to see you even when you were in the coma. Brie, I'm not judging you or trying to make you feel bad, but surely you realise why you walk alone in the world don't you?"
"Yes, it is the burden that comes with greatness. It is a road walked..."
"Brie, come on..." Oliver cut in before Brie could finish speaking, Brie turning her head away and refusing to look at him or even to acknowledge his words.
"Okay, look, I know there is a struggle within you, between the darkness and the light within. When you invented your bees, your colleagues wanted to use them to help people, but you were not interested in helping people, you were only interested in making profits and wanted to sell your product to the military. However, Palmer Tech invented the spinal chip and did the same thing as you did, you became enraged and tried to forcefully steal their tech. Now, it could be that your motivation was purely selfish in that you didn't want to become a paraplegic, or it could be that your eyes were finally opened and you were finally able to see where your colleagues from Mercury Labs were coming from..."
"I already knew exactly where they were coming from! It wasn't that I didn't understand, I understood it perfectly! But it was MY invention, MINE! I should have beeen the one who gets to decide what happens to it, not them. They didn't just try to dictate what happens to my invention, but actually stole it from me and cast me out on the sidelines. They deserved everything they got as far as I'm concerned. Do you know how it feels to work so hard on something only for someone to just swoop in and take it away from you?" Brie said angrily.
"Not exactly, no. I'm sure it hurts a lot, but you didn't have to kill them. You could have just...given them an ultimatum they couldn't refuse, you know, tell them to back down or else..." Oliver said with a sinister undertone, much to Brie's surprise, her eyes snapping in Oliver's direction, wide from shock as she couldn't quite believe that those words just came out of the mayor's mouth.
"Wha...what is your goal here exactly? You've been working me since I came out of the coma. What do you want? The secrets of my Bee Technology?"
"Not at all, I already have the secrets to your Bee Tech, I'm here for something else. Now, for your crimes, there is no way I can get you out of prison, at least, not legally..." Oliver trailed off with a mischievious glint in his eyes, Brie's eyes widening with a combination of horror, confusion, and excitement.
"Why would...who are you exactly, Mr Mayor?" Brie asked suspiciously.
"I am Oliver Queen, also known as Al Sa Him, but mainly known as Ra's Al Ghul in the underworld. Secretly I am also the man behind the hood of the Green Arrow." Oliver said dramatically, pin drop silence taking hold of the customised prison cell as Brie looked at Oliver as if he had grown a second head.
"It's true, as Green Arrow, I am the leader of Team Arrow, a Hero Association that protects the good people of this City from criminals. As the Mayor, I help to inspire change, goodwill, and prosperity for the citizens of this city, and as Ra's Al Ghul, I control an army of assassins and we help the world to grow and evolve in the way that it is meant to be. I can't have you involved in the Mayor's activities, nor can I have you involved at Queen Tech Consolidated. You're a criminal, and it will be bad to have you anywhere near Mayor Queen and Billionaire Philantrapist Oliver Queen's life. However, as Ra's Al Ghul, and as Green Arrow, I would be honored to have you by my side." Oliver continued as if nothing happened at all, as if Brie wasn't looking at him with a look like her brain had just stopped functioning.
'I can't have Brie join the suicide squad, she would easily escape and break all the other criminals out as well, hacking the explosive devices on their heads would be child's play for her. I can't let her rot in prison either, her abilities are too useful, and we need a replacement for Overwatch. Brie is perfect in the sense that she can watch over us from the bunker whilst her bees actively help us on the field. It's risky to bring her into the fold yes, but she has so much potential.' Oliver thought contemplatively.
"Y-you're serious aren't you?" Brie asked incredulously.
"I am, Brie. Felicity 'Overwatch' Smoak has been released from her duties because of blatant insubordination, so I need a replacement for her. Of course, you're not just a replacement because you can do so much more for us than she could. Your Bee-Man monster was quite formidable in battle, and the ability of your bees to go into small spaces that we can't fit is a valuable asset for an assassin."
"I'll do it!" Brie exclaimed excitedly.
"Just like that? I expected a bit of resistance."
"Yes! I'll do it! I mean, I always thought super heroes were too boring but to think that you have your own army of assassins that control and shape the world from the shadows? That's like, a dream come true for me." Brie said with stars in her eyes.
'She's a good match for the league. She has the killer instinct to mercilessly slay her enemies, a needed requirement to become an assassin. She is also very proficient in the art of stealth and espionage due to the abilities of her bees and her propensity for hacking. All she needs is a strict code of conduct instilled into her to override her obscure moral campass, and that is where The League Of Shadows and Team Arrow come in.' Oliver thought analytically.
"Brie, we kill people, but we don't kill innocent people. I need to make sure that we have the same definition of the word 'innocent'." Oliver said with a grave undertone.
"It's not like I have anything else going for me Mr Queen. I don't have friends and my family has abandoned me. I can never live a normal life again, but everyone needs a purpose in life. I wanted to use my skills for the military, and you have your own army of super cool assassins. I believe death is a solution against evil people, and you kill evil people. I love technology and science, and you own a technology and scientific research company. Mr Mayor, you and I are a match made in heaven. I would be honored to be your new Overwatch." Brie said as if she had just received true enlightment for the first time in her life, experiencing, for the first time, a true moment of clarity.
"You don't have to call yourself that, nor do you have to call yourself the Bug Eyed Bandit anymore. From now on, you are Killer Bee, a member of the League of a Shadows, and an important asset for Team Arrow. As for your breakout, we, we as in, the league of shadows, will stage a breakout for you, and then you will die during the escape. Your death will be staged of course, you won't really be dead. Approximately six months later Killer Bee will appear as a member of Team Arrow. Congratulations, you just made it, as you are now filling the last available spot on Team Arrow." Oliver said with a kind smile, the kind of smile Brie hadn't seen directed at her in such a long time that she didn't even realise how much she missed it until now, a smile full of kindness, compassion, and sincerity.
"This...this is so awesome! I can't wai...hold on! Why do I only appear after six months as a member of Team Arrow?" Brie asked suspiciously.
"Six months is the minimum required time for League Training. Everyone has to go through the six month training and conditioning program before they become official members of the League of Shadows, Although the time can be significantly shortened in special cases where the recruit is already a highly skilled warrior when they joined the organisation, which is not so in your case" Oliver explained thoroughly.
"Training and conditioning? Do I look like someone capable of training and conditioning excercises to you?" Brie asked incredulously, not realising what Oliver actually meant by the word 'conditioning' , as Oliver was actually talking about mental conditioning as opposed to physical, essentially meaning that he was basically going to brainwash her.
"Would it make you think any differently if I told you that Queen Tech Consolidated has re-engineered the spinal chip that gave Felicity Smoak the ability to walk again?" Oliver asked with a wry smile, Brie's eyes lighting up with excitement and pure, unadulterated joy, squeeling excitedly as she tackled the mayor into the ground and gave him a big, strong, hug, or at least would have if only she could get out of that damn chair.
"Okay, someone's excited." Oliver pointed out the obvious.
"Are you kidding me? This is like the best thing that ever happened to me in my entire life! I...I don't know how I can ever pay you back for this!" Brie babbled excitedly.
"You don't have to pay me. You'll get the chip for free, and we'll distribute it to both private and public hospitals at an affordable price for everyone." Oliver explained.
"W-who are you? I mean, what happened to the priveledged playboy Oliver Queen? How did you turn into...this?" Brie asked in disbelief.
"Everyone has a moment of awakening. A moment that triggers the mind and the senses, forcing the person to come to a moment of clarity about who it is that they are or should be, and what it is that they have to do or should be doing. Some people end up losing their way during the journey and end up needing a re-awakening of sorts. My awakening was when I was stranded at Lian Yu, and my re-awakening was when Laurel Lance was killed by Damian Dark. I believe you experienced your awakening just a few minutes ago, and as your leader and mentor, my duty is to groom you so well that, unlike me, you never need a re-awakening. Brie, you and I are going to do great things together."Oliver said charismatically, Brie barely able to contain the intrigue and excitement that Oliver was digging out of the deepest and darkest depths of her very soul itself.
'This is so awesome! Mayor Queen is so cool! My gosh! I feel like I'm in my own personal comic book world. I can't believe I'm going to become a superheroin assassin.' Brie thought happily.
Later that Night: Team Arrow Training Facility
"Laurel. You're late." Oliver said as he got up from a meditative position, having been meditating for two hours straight now as he waited for the arrival of his...now that he thought about it he didn't quite know how to categorize his relationship with Laurel.
They weren't lovers, because they were not having sex with each other nor were they able to enjoy and explore the depth of intimacy that is typically experienced by lovers, but at the same time they weren't just friends either, nor did they have a sibling type relationship exactly. Technically she wasn't even his ex, because his ex was Earth One's Laurel, and this was Earth 2 Laurel. This was truly a unique situation, so much so that Oliver doubted that there was anyone else in the same or similar situation as him in the entire multiverse.
"I'm earlier than your precious Dinah though." Laurel retorted as she sauntered over to the object of her affections, who also happened to be her boss.
"So you two are having a competition for who can arrive the latest for training sessions? Is that what you're telling me?" Oliver asked sarcastically.
"Oh please Ollie. We both know why fake me isn't here. She's angry at you for keeping such a big secret from her...or is she?" Laurel asked cryptically.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Oliver asked with a small frown.
"I mean..." Laurel drawled out as she got closer to Oliver, so close that Oliver was sure that she was about to kiss him, but she didn't, instead, she moved her head passed him until her lips were almost touching his left ear.
"Is she angry because you lied to her about Vincent, or is she angry because his survival and being part of the team gets in the way of her plan?" Laurel whispered sensually, confusing the hell out of Oliver, both with her words and her actions, Oliver not sure whether he was being seduced or what the hell was going on.
"Part of her plan? What plan?" Oliver asked incredulously.
"Geez you are such a typical man Oliver!" Laurel said, pushing Oliver away as far away from her as she could, or at least tried to, her efforts having absolutely no visible effect on him at all, much to Laurel's increasing chagrin.
"If by that you mean I'm not a mind reader, then yes, I'm such a typical man." Oliver retorted.
"Don't get clever with me Ollie! That woman has the hots for you, and she's up to something. I know it...I can feel it in my blood." Laurel said with a frown on her facial features, as if she was trying to figure out some kind of complicated puzzle.
"She knows I'm married to two women, and she knows I'm crazy about you without me even having to tell her. There's no way she'd still be trying to get with me after learning that much even if she intitially wanted to."
"Even if she initially wanted to? You still think that she never wanted you in the first place? Just how dumb are you...?"
"Watch it! Just because I love you doesn't mean you get to talk to me like that. Don't confuse my love and respect for you with weakness. That's not a mistake you want to be making..." Oliver warned with a grave undertone.
"What are you going to do? Kill me?"
"We both know that's never going to happen. However, there are other ways to deal with insurbodination, and some things, believe it or not, are worse than even death itself." Oliver said coldly.
"Really? Now you've peaked my curiosity. Obviously I've been a very bad girl, and I need to be punished for it. Please, great leader, put me back in my place. Punish me for my sins. Make me moan and groan, make me beg for forgiveness." Laurel said with a sultry tone, grabbing Oliver by the back of the head and pulling him into a deep, wet, and passionate kiss, or at least would have and was about to when she was interupted by a third party.
"Ahem! Pardon the interuption." Curtis said as he made his presence known, Laurel rolling her eyes in frustration at having her first chance in a long time to be alone with Oliver interupted.
"What do you want, Afro?" Laurel asked irritably.
"Hey, that's racist...isn't it?" Curtis said with a tone that was nowhere near sure about what he was saying.
"I was refering to your hairstyle dufus." Laurel said with a bored tone.
"Oh...ehehehe, yeah, not so racist after all. My bad." Curtis said sheepishly.
"Is something the matter, Curtis? You're an hour and a half early for your check in time." Oliver asked curiously.
"Ummmm...yeah, I came here to talk about Overwatch." Curtis said, instantly contemplating whether he should carry on with this conversation when he saw how quickly Oliver's expression darkened at the mention of that name.
"What about her?" Oliver asked with a tone and look that made Curtis have to hold back the urge to scream like a little girl and run for his life.
"Ummm...look, boss, I know I'm a tech expert, but I'm also a combat specialist thanks to you and thanks to my T-spheres. I feel like I'm being seriously underused just sitting here and watching over everyone from behind a desk and a computer while everyone else is busy kicking ass and taking names on the streets. I know that's not the point of the operation but Oliver, I worked my ass off so that I can go out there into the streets with you, and now you're just going to put me on the shelf like this? I'm sorry but that's just not right." Curtis said with frustration, secretly giving himself a mental pat on the back for having the courage to say all of that to Oliver without stuttering or backing down midway through.
"So you want him to bring back that blonde bimbo just so that you can feel better about yourself?" Laurel asked condescendingly.
"W-what? No! That's not..."
"Hold on a second, have you been communicating with her? Did you tell her where our new base of operations is? How much have you told her?" Laurel asked suspiciously.
"I haven't...! Look, okay I've been talking to her about stuff, but I haven't told her any of our secrets. I just...may have inquired about her willingness to come back to the team. I'm just...I don't want to be the guy behind the computer. I just don't. Maybe from time to time when it's neccessary, but not indefinitely."
"Hmmm...as much as I hate that he went and spoke to her behind our backs, he kind of does have a point you have to admit. I mean, the guy is more than a little useful on the field. He's not being used to his full potential at all currently." Laurel said, shrugging her shoulders when Oliver looked at her with a betrayed facial expression.
"Okay, give me six months and I'll have everything sorted. Six months, and you'll be back on the field, you have my word." Oliver said reassuringly.
"Six months? That's way too long! How in the hell does it take six months to call Felicity and ask her to come ba..."
"Curtis! Felicity is not coming back. Now I know she's your friend and all, and you worked closely together at Palmer Tech, but...she is not my friend, and I have very good reasons for not wanting her back in the team."
"Is it because you guys used to date?" Curtis blurted out, causing a deep frown to appear on both Oliver's and Laurel's facial features.
"No Curtis, that is not the reason. Besides, I've already recruited someone else for the job so don't think for one second that I haven't been thinking about your situation." Oliver said firmly.
"If you already have a recruit then why is it taking a whole six months for he or she to take over Overwatch's position?" Curtis asked incredulously.
"Kid has a point, Ollie." Laurel said with a raised eyebrow.
"Curtis, didn't it take six months of training for you and Rory to become approved as members of the team? Why should it be different for this person?" Oliver asked rhetorically.
"Oh...! Yeah...it did, you...ummm...you have a point, but you also kind of don't." Curtis said, effectively inducing a death glare from Oliver.
"You're replacing Overwatch. Why does this person need combat training if they're going to be sitting in a chair and typing code on a computer? It doesn't really make all that much sense." Curtis said, not convinced at all that Oliver even really had a new recruit lined up for the job.
"Everyone needs to be combat trained. That's the new policy, you of all people should understand the importance of that better than anyone." Oliver explained.
"Okay, what's his or her name?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm not giving away the person's name yet. You'll find out when she joins the team like everyone else. However, if there is anything that you should know then it's that she is way better than Overwatch. She's just as good if not better at hacking, and she's one hundred percent more versatile. She can watch over us behind the computer screen and physically help us on the battlefield...simultaneously." Oliver explained, a mischievious smirk morphing into his facial features when he saw the shock and confusion on Curtis' facial expression.
"Are you trying to tell us that this person can clone herself?" Laurel asked incredulously.
"Not quite. Look, I don't want to disclose anything about the recruit until she is ready to join us. I have my reasons and I need you all to respect that. I also need you to trust me. I have not lead you astray thus far, so there really is no justification for all of this doubt. I know what I'm doing, and it's for the best, not just for me, but for the team as well." Oliver said charismatically.
"I do trust you Oliver, but it's just...I can't do this for another six months. I just can't."
"Okay, fine, make it three months then. I'll train her for three months and then she'll join the team and she'll learn the rest on the job. Can you give us that much time at least?" Oliver asked.
"Okay, I suppose I can do that. I mean, I know it might seem like I'm being childish and rebellious, and maybe I am, but thank you anyway, for understanding." Curtis said awkwardly.
"It's okay Curtis. I run a multi billion dollar company remember. I'm used to this kind of thing, employees feeling under-used and under-appreciated. You're not an employee of course, you're a precious and valuable comrade, and that makes it all the more important to me that you're in a good space. Besides, it's life and death when we go out there. If you're unsatisfied with your role then you won't be fully committed to it, and if you're not fully committed then you're not focused, and if you're not focused then it undermines your ability to look out for us. That's something that I simply cannot have in my team." Oliver said with a grave undertone, Curtis unable to help but to feel horrible and guilt ridden about doubting Oliver even for a split second, unable to believe how childish and naïve he must have looked and sounded to Oliver for throwing a tantrum over something like that, the fact that Oliver didn't even lash out at him making him feel even more silly and embarassed about it for some reason.
"Well I for one am glad that you two were able to quickly resolve this conflict. Now that it's all set and done, would you mind excusing yourself and going...anywhere in the world that isn't here? In case you didn't notice, me and Ollie were in the middle of someth..." Laurel trailed off as Oliver's phone started ringing.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Laurel exclaimed as she threw her hands in the air in frustration, starting to wonder of there wasn't an invisible force conspiring to deny her the chance to be with Oliver.
"It's Lila Diggle, must be something serious if she's calling." Oliver said as he answered the phone.
"Lila. It's been a while." Oliver greeted.
"Oliver! I need your help! John has been arrested! He's being charged for illegal arms deal and misuse of military assets to smuggle drugs into the country. He didn't do it Oliver, he's being framed!"
"What do you need me to do?" Oliver asked tensely, not even asking how sure Lila was about John being framed because it was too obvious as far as he was concerned. There was just no way John would do something like that, no matter the circumstances. Even if it turned out John had actually done it, it could only be because someone had blackmailed him into it so it was all the same to Oliver.
"I need you to help me break him out of prison. He wasn't given a fair trial Oliver, the whole thing was a set up. Everyone who wasn't in on the set up was killed. John was only spared so that he can take the fall. It's John's word against the testimony of eight witnesses, witnesses who are actually accomplices. If we don't get him out of there he's going to be executed..."
"Say no more. I'll take care of the rest." Oliver said reassuringly.
"Wait! There's an anti-molecular substance that ARGUS has developed that you can use to.."
"No! John's escape cannot be traced back to you or ARGUS. Let me handle this. John will be back in your arms in two days, three days maximum. I need you to trust me, okay?"
"I...okay, I trust you. Oliver...thank you."
"John's one of my closest friends, in fact, he's family, and so are you and John junior. There's no need to thank me, this is what family is for." Oliver replied compassionately.
"Thank you. That means a lot to me, especially right now."
"No problem. Just send me all the information that you've gathered about the situation, where he's being held, the schematics of the buidling, the security details, etc. I want everything by the end of the night so that I can make preparations."
"I'm sending everything as we speak. You should have everything by the end of this call."
"Okay good. We'll rendezvous in two or three days. I'll send you the location and you can meet John and I there. Until then, hold on tight and take good care of yourself." Oliver said as he hung up the phone.
"What was that about?" Curtis asked curiously.
"No time to explain. I'm going to be away for the next two or three days. While I'm gone you will operate in two sets of teams. Team one will be Deathstroke, Black Siren, and Mr Terrific. Team 2 is Vigilante, Black Canary, and Ragman. Deathstroke and Black Canary are team leaders and Deathstroke is commander in chief. Understood?"
"Let me go with you. Let the others combine into one five man team so that I can go with you."
"There's no need for that. John is going through a lot right now, and he doesn't know about you. He's already in emotional turmoil, seeing you will just make things worse for him. Remember, it was mostly his fault that you ended up de...I mean that the other you ended up dead. He still feels guilty about it, and I don't want to put you in that situation either. So please, stay here and help the others. You're needed here." Oliver pleaded, Curtis marveling at how Oliver could make a plea with so much power and authority that it felt like it was a command as opposed to a plea or a request.
"Mostly his fault? It was entirely his fault wasn't it? Didn't you warn him countless times about his brother? Not only did he refuse to believe you despite your vast experience and better intuition, but he was blatantly insubordinate and brought his brother along for the mission anyway. It was entirely his fault Ollie, make sure he understands that the next time you see him." Laurel countered.
"It was partly my fault too Laurel. I knew John was compromised, but I was too weak to make a firm stand on the issue. I should have put him on the shelf for the mission and left both he and his brother out of it. Anyway, this is exactly why I don't want you to come with. What happened cannot be changed and to hear something like that coming from you might destroy him."
"Rightfully so! He deserves to be destroyed!" Laurel said, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.
"Look at it another way though. As horrible as it may sound, had Earth one Laurel not died, would you be able to be by Oliver's side right now? Do you think the other Laurel would have allowed you to be anywhere near him? Would you have even come to this Earth looking for him?" Curtis asked rhetorically.
"Fine! Whatever! Do as you please!" Laurel said with a sour face, her arms folded against her bossom as she tried to look anywhere else except at Oliver and Curtis, Oliver resisting the urge to laugh at her child-like antics, settling instead for a fond smile, his eyes softening a bit as he looked at her with nothing but love and compassion.
"Come here." Oliver said with his hands open wide for a hug.
"Idon'twantto" Laurel mumbled, too rapidly for anything that came out of her lips to make any sense whatsoever.
"Come on...!" Oliver egged on as he forcefully pulled her into his arms and wrapped her up in a loving embrace.
Laurel didn't return the hug, partly because she was angry at him at the moment, but also because Oliver had pulled her in so fast that her arms were still folded around her chest when he pulled her in, making it impossible for her to return the hug. However, she didn't pull away and in fact nuzzled her head at the crook of his neck, which told Oliver that she wasn't rejecting his hug after all.
"I hate you...and love you...but mostly hate you." Laurel said, inducing an involuntary chuckly from Oliver, amused by the sheer incredulity of Laurel's attempt to kill the moment.
"Well, I'm incapable of feeling anything except love for you, so you're just going to have to find a way to deal with that." Oliver retorted.
"Way to go making me feel like the bad guy you jerk. You could have at least said you hate me sometimes...just a little." Laurel whined with such a cute pout that Oliver couldn't help but wonder how someone so cute and innocent looking at times could be such a stone cold killer at other times.
Three Days Later: 01:45am. Undiscloded Location
"Maseo! Why are you doing this? How are you even still alive?" John asked as soon as the gag was removed from his mouth.
He had just been evicted from a black mini van that had been used to transport him to this site, a beautiful site he had to admit. It was a very big, two story house, not exactly a mansion but not small at all by any means. The yard was especially huge, with a perfect blend between man made structure and nature, the yard having a beautiful fountain built at the centre of the driveway and also a beautiful garden.
John was still in his prison clothes, and had his legs and arms shackled up by Maseo, or rather, Sarab and his teammates, John counting three of them in total, four if you count Maseo. It definitely didn't escape John that they were all wearing league of assassins outfits, complete with a hood, a quiver, a bow, and a stack of arrows. If John didn't know any better he could have sworn that he must have time travelled or something, because last he checked not only was the league of assassins disbanded, but Maseo was supposed to be dead.
"Maseo is dead, only Sarab exists." Sarab replied as he pushed John at the back, forcing him to start walking towards the beautiful and surprisingly homey house.
"Oh spare me the semantics Maseo! You know damn well what I mean!" John said with anger and frustration in his tone.
"If you must know. I did die, but Ra's Al Ghul-sama ressurrected me." Sarab explained as the two, along with Sarab's team approached the house.
"Ra's Al Ghul...?" John trailed off with a surprised and fearful expression, not even wanting to imagine what kind of horrors that psychopathic sadist had in store for him and Star City, and the entire world.
"Yes. I won't go into the details of the matter however, lest I reveal league secrets to an outsider." Sarab replied.
"Hold on a minute!" John said as he stopped ubruptly, turning around to look Sarab in the eye.
"What?" Sarab asked with a bored tone of voice.
"The league of Assassins was disbanded, Ra's Al Ghul is dead, and the Lazarus Pit was destroyed! So why the hell are you wearing those uniforms? How the hell did Ra's Al Ghul come back? How did you come back?" John asked hysterically, Sarab unable to help but to feel like he was talking to a man who was unravelling right in front of his eyes.
"The League of Assassins is no more, only the League Of Shadows exists. The Lazarus Pit is no more, and how I came back is a secret that will not be shared with an outsider. As far as how Ra's Al Ghul-sama came back...well, why don't you see for yourself." Sarab said as he opened the door to the house, roughly pushing John Diggle into the house when he felt resistance from the big guy.
"Do not worry, we did not save you from execution only to have you killed here. Ra's Al Ghul-sama is a friend to you, you can trust him." Sarab said as he ushered John into the living room.
"Yeah sure, we're such good friends he and I." John rolled his eyes at the impossiblity of what Sarab just said.
"Finally, you have arrived, John Diggle. I've been waiting, it's been so long since last I saw you. Welcome, my friend." A man spoke with what was obviously a voice modulator.
The man was well built, tall and possessing a very athletic build. He was wearing what suspiciously looked like a pitch black version of the Green Arrow's outfit, complete with a bow, a quiver, and a stack of arrows. The main difference was that the man was wearing some kind of mask that covered the entirety of his face, the mask possessing red, glowing eyes that John couldn't help but to find intimidating (Earth X Arrow's outfit without the Nazi symbols and colours).
"I'm not your damn friend! Imposter! I don't have to see your face to know that you aren't the real Ra's!" John said indignantly.
"Irrespective of how you feel, let me assure you that I am indeed the real Ra's, and that you are welcome here." The mysterious figure, now identified as Ra's, said hospitably.
"Where exactly is here? And why am I here?" John asked, not beating about the bush as he went straight to the point.
"This is a League of Shadows safe house. It is a safe house designated for our friends, guests, and allies. You will be staying here until we have captured General Walker and his goons and forced a confession out of them. Naturally, we expect them to sell the weapon and the drugs that they smuggled so we will be monitoring them in the meantime so that we can catch them in the act. We will videorize the meeting and that, combined with the confessions we force out of them, should be enough to clear your name. When that is done, you will be able to leave the safe house and return to your family." Ra's Al Ghul explained in detail.
"Just like that? You expect me to believe that you're helping me out and don't want anything in return?" Diggle asked skeptically.
"There's no catch John, your wife asked us to help, and we're helping. She didn't promise us anything, and we didn't ask for anything, nor will we. One doesn't need to ask for anything when helping out a friend."
"Lila contacted you? Why would she? After I told her that..."
"That you're getting what you deserve? That you're paying for your sins? Okay, let's entertain that thought process for a moment. Let's say you do deserve to rot in jail and get executed for a crime you didn't commit. Sure okay, maybe you deserve it, but does Lila deserve it? Does she deserve to lose her husband and partner? Does she deserve to become a single mother? Does little John deserve to grow up without a father? Are you that pathetic that you would choose death over fulfilling your responsibilities to your family?" Ra's Al Ghul said with disgust, catching John completely off guard as he didn't see that one coming at all, and when put to him like that, he really couldn't do or say anything to refute what this guy was saying, no matter how much it infuriated him.
"Who the hell are you to judge me?" John retorted defensively.
"Your family...!" Ra's Al Ghul said as he pressed his index finger somewhere around his right ear, which caused the mask on his face to completely faze out, John realising that the mask was a hologram all along. However, much to John's dismay, the guy was wearing another mask underneath the hologram, except this one only covered the lower half of his face, which didn't help much because John still couldn't discern any of his facial features with the mask and the hood on. Thanfully, the man followed up by removing the hood from his head.
"O-Oliver...!"
45 minutes later: Same Location
"And, well, that's about the gist of it." Oliver, who was still wearing his face mask, concluded his explanation to John, the two of them seated on opposite sides of the safe house lounging room, John no longer shackled anymore and not a single league aassassin in site, with the exception of Oliver that is to say, Oliver having ordered his men to give him and his guest some alone time.
"So let me get this straight. You broke up with Felicity, basically renewed your vows to Nyssa Al Ghul, and she has a sister called Talia, who happens to be your mentor, to whom you're also married to...in a polygamus marriage? And you re-organised the league of assassins, and they're now called the league of shadows, and you're Ra's Al Ghul?" John asked in disbelief, leaving Oliver stupified at how somebody can used so many 'ands' in one paragraph, pretty sure that there was no way that such a ridiculous paragraph was grammatically correct.
"Yes, pretty much." Oliver said casually.
"So you run an organisation of assassins now?" John asked with a disgusted tone and facial expression.
"I don't know why you're looking at me like that John, I was after all an assassin known as The Hood when we first met." Oliver retorted.
"In case you don't remember, I vehemently disapproved of your methods even back then!" John said angrily.
"And yet you still joined my crusade and fought side by side with me." Oliver countered.
"A mistake I won't ever make again!" John retaliated.
"That's all well and good." Oliver said as if it was nothing of consequence, which in fact it was as far as he was concerned.
"What's that supposed to mean?" John asked suspiciously.
"It means I didn't break you out of prison so that you can work beside me as Spartan again. I don't know how low you kept your head when you were in the military, but a lot has changed in Star City and with Team Arrow since you've been away. Quite frankly, you wouldn't be able to handle being on the team if you came back."
'Even though you have possibly killed just as many people as I have in your time in the military.' Oliver thought darkly.
"I still don't..."
"I have a new team John, a team of super powered people. Meta humans, super soldier enhanced people, bio-technologically enhanced people, etc etc. Also, Deathstroke is part of the team, and..."
"What did you just say?" John said, instantly jumping onto his feet, such was the sheer shock and disbelief that he was feeling about what he had just heard.
"Oliver how could you! The man is responsible for literally hundreds of deaths in Star City! He almost destroyed the city, he and his mirakuru army, and you're just going to bring him into the team just like that? How could you do something like that? What do you think the people..."
"The people don't know that Slade is still alive. They believe that this is a different individual who has taken on the name in order to strike fear in the criminals of Star City. Someone who wants to put a new meaning to the name 'Deathstroke'."
"That doesn't matter Oliver! It doesn't matter one bit! You still know who the man behind the Deathstroke mask is! How could you..."
"John! We both know that Slade wasn't in his right mind when he committed those acts. He was literally insane. Last time I checked insanity was a legal ground of aquital for crimes commited, you know, since you're all about peace and justice." Oliver retorted.
"What happened to you man? How did you turn into this monster in such a short space of time?"
"Slade is like a brother to me, he's my mentor and my brother. I did what any brother would do. If the roles were reversed, and it was you in Slade's position, I would have done the same for you too. So think carefully before you pass judgement on me."
"Oliver the man killed your mother...!"
"John...!" Oliver cut in angrily, but was quickly able to reign in his anger and calm himself down before the situation got out of hand.
"Look, there's something else I have to tell you, it's about Laurel."
"Geat! I voice my disagreement about something wrong you're doing and your response is to bring up something that you know is a sore spot for me? Is that how it's going to be now Oliver? Everytime I don't back a decision you've made you're going to bring ny greatest shame and..?"
"John just shut up for a few seconds and let me finish what I want to say. I'm not trying to guilt trip you about Laurel, there's new information you need to hear concerning her." Oliver said irritably.
"New information?" John asked with confusion.
"There's a new member in Team Arrow known as Black Siren. She is a meta human with the ability to release super powered sonic waves from her vocal cords, enough to crumble a 50 story building in mere seconds. Her real identity is Laurel Lance." Oliver deadpanned.
"I...Impossible! That can't...what did you do Oliver?" John asked with an accusatory tone, wondering if Oliver somehow did the same thing he did to Maseo to Laurel, whatever it is that he did to Maseo.
"I didn't do anything. She is not from our universe John, she is from a parallel universe. Apparently, there are approximately 51 universes that exist simultaneously with ours. In others we exist, in others we don't. In others we died, in others we are still alive. In others we live normal lives, and in others we live similar lives to this one. It sounds like fiction yes, but it is true. In fact, Zoom, the meta human speedster Barry defeated was from a different universe, and all of his meta human minions were from said universe." Oliver explained, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing from where he left off.
"Laurel, Earth 2 Laurel, is from that universe, and she came here with Zoom as his Leuitenant. Barry kept her existence a secret from me and secretly imprisoned her in his pipe line prison. When I found out, I was so angry I swear it took everything within me not to march into Central City and kill him. That's why I don't want to keep this a secret from you. Laurel, this Laurel is similar in many ways to the Laurel you know, but she is also different in many ways. She is a sadist, borderline psychopath, and definitely a sociopath, but I still love her, and she loves me, and she has agreed to change her ways and now works with me as a member of Team Arrow. You probably wouldn't get along with her, and her existence would just drudge up bad memories for you, so I didn't bring her along. In fact, she actually would rather see you dead so that's another reason I didn't bring her." Oliver concluded his explanation.
"This...! This is just too much Oliver! I know your life is crazy, hell, no one knows that better than me. But this? Multiple Universes? A doppelganger of Laurel? And she's a psychopathic meta-human? Why is it that it seems like you're surrounding yourself with killers and psychopaths Oliver?"
"Because they don't hesitate to do what needs to be done. They don't question our methods and they are prepared to fight fire with fire when need be." Oliver said with a sinister undertone.
"It sounds like you think that Felicity and I were holding you back. Is that why Oliver? Is that the real reason you basically chased Felicity away? For what? So that you can renew your vows with Nyssa Al Ghul of all people? So that you can reconnect with her sociopathic sister who turned you into a serial killer? So that you can surround yourself with criminals and societal rejects?" John asked incredulously.
"People looked at Vigilante, Deathstroke, Black Siren, and Ragman and saw monsters, demons in human form, terrifying, evil beings that were the scourge of society. However, I saw potential, because I remembered. I remembered that even though the media and the justice system condemned my actions as The Hood, even though they relegated my actions to nothing more than the actions of a deranged psychopath, and even though all of the criminals in Star City wanted me dead, that the innocent, stand up citiizens of Star City did not fear me. They were given hope by my actions, and those whose lives I saved and helped in other ways, were grateful for my existence. I remembered, that the criminal justice system itself was full of corrupt cops and judicial officers. I remembered that that same justice system had allowed countless innocent lives to be lost because of their corruption, negligence, and in-adequacy. John, maybe my comrades and I are nothing but trash to you, but the good people of Star City disagree with you, and at the end of the day, their safety and sense of security is all that matters." Oliver said with conviction.
"..."
"..."
"How did Felicity take it?" John eventually asked, effectively breaking the silence that had taken the room by the throat after Oliver's passionate speech.
"How did she take what?" Oliver asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Not being a part of the operation anymore, and you being married to Nyssa...and Talia." John asked with concern.
"I don't know, we're not exactly on speaking terms. Last time I checked she was starting up her own tech company, or at least trying to." Oliver said dismissively.
"That's it? That's all you have to say..."
"Don't...go there!" Oliver said with a firm tone.
"John, I know you've always backed Felicity, that you two share a bond. She's like a sister to you, I get it, but if you're so concerned about her then you can go and pay her a visit when we clear your name. Until then, leave me out of it okay." Oliver said with finality.
"Oliver what happened between the two of you? Do you really hate her that much?"
"No, I don't hate her." Oliver said as if that alone was the answer to everything.
"You know what man, whatever. I don't know what happened to you while I was gone, but I don't need the help of someone who abandons his friends."
"So you would have me abandon you because you don't want the help of someone who abandons his friends? I can't even begin to make sense of that ideology..."
"I don't care what you think!" John snapped defensively.
"Hn, doesn't matter. I'm helping you whether you like it or not. I gave Lila my word, and I don't intend to break it, and even if she hadn't asked me, I would have helped you anyway, whether you like it or not. Speaking of which, Lila should be on her way here along with your son. She'll probably arrive in the next ten minutes. Perhaps some time with your family will give you some much needed perspective." Oliver said as he got up from the couch, putting his hood back on and re-activating the hologram mask as he prepared to leave the establishment.
"Where are you going?" John asked, visibly shocked by Oliver's sudden departure, only now realising how much he missed his friend's company now that he was departing.
"I'm going home. It's late John, and I still have to go to work tommorrow morning. I imagine Lila won't be staying long either, she'll probably drop John jnr off and be on her way. She can't disappear and be nowhere to be found on the same night that you escaped from prison. She'll need to turn in for work tommorrow morning. Chin up my friend, for the next time you stand before me it will be as a free man, and you will be with your family and friends." Ra's Al Ghul said as he made his way towards the door.
"Goodbye...Oliver, and thank you." John muttered under his breathe, not loud enough for the average human to hear, but then again, Oliver was in no way an average or normal human being.
"Leaving so soon, my lord?" Sarab asked as Oliver stepped out of the house.
"Unfortunately. Time is a valuable commodity, I more than anyone else in the world have to be vigilant about how I spend it. This is my fate as someone who lives a quadriple life. Besides, I want to give John some space and time with his family. Keep a close eye on him, the four of you are his body guards, but you are also his wardens. John must not leave this place until his name is cleared. Use whatever methods you deem neccessary to ensure that." Ra's Al Ghul ordered, not even bothering to wait for a response as he marched passed his trusted general.
"Consider it done, my lord."
End Of Chapter
This chapter was a neccessary evil to develop a few plot points and to tie in some loose ends. Probably not the best chapter but it sets things up for the next phase.
I know most of the readers of Green Monster do not like Felicity, however, that doesn't mean we can pretend she doesn't exist (even though we want to). John has always taken Felicity's side and they almost always back each other when one of them has a disagreement with Oliver. So I figured this is probably how John would react when he found out what happened between Oliver and Felicity.
Oliver, it's not that he is actively trying to keep his distance from her more than he just doesn't feel any connection or obligation to her anymore. He is also too busy, with his quadriple life (Billionaire Philantrapist, Politician/Mayor, Hero/Arrow, Assassin/Ra's Al Ghul) to be bothered with her, although that's not to say he isn't keeping tabs on her for various reasons that I'm sure you guys should be able to figure out.
The title of the next chapter will be 'Invasion: Part 1' (yeah, shit just hit the fan).
Preview of the Invasion Arc:
Enter Brie Larvan aka Killer Bee
Supergirl vs Team Arrow
Overwhelming Strength vs Team Work
What it means to be a Team
Green Monster meets Killer Frost
Okay guys so far it has mostly been development, I didn't want to rush things so I had to flesh it out so that you can see Oliver going through the changes and that was reflected by the people he chose to recruit and to work with. It was also meant to show what a significant impact Laurel had and is still having on him. Her death lead him to embrace his darker siden and now her dopppelganger is fueling, sustaining, and even cultivating that darker side, by just being herself around him and also intentionally. She loves that side of him, and is intoxicated by his strength and charisma. That's what I wanted to show you guys at least.
Anyway, the team is now complete, and shit is about to hit the fan coz the invasion arc is up next, meaning that yawl get to see how Team Arrow interacts with the legends, super girl, and last but not least, Team Flash (Barry in particular).
I already know what's gonna happen when he meets Supergirl, but I even I don't know how he is going to handle seeing Barry in person for the first time since the 'betrayal'. Anyway, I just hope the supergirl vs Team Arrow fight scene is gonna be as good as I'm imagining it in my head.
Any stay tuned guys, and thanks for reading. Yawl take care now.
